Thursday, 4 March 2010

Michael Mackintosh Foot 1913-2010

I have few memories of Michael Foot other than a man who was not influenced easily and held the courage of his convictions.

My father was a labour supporter all his life and when he worked in London during the 60s he occasionally used to pop along to Westminster to listen to evening debates (back in the days when debates were fierce exchanges and very well attended).

In his later years he mentioned on more than one occasion that the best speaker in those days - and there were a few of them - was Michael Foot. Mr Foot impressed my father greatly I know, because in his later years he became popular as an after dinner speaker in his own profession and he always attributed his much of his skill to these dark nights in Westminster and in particular Michael Foot's ability to inspire and motivate with the spoken word.

Two tributes which have come to my attention are from Alf Young and Hugh Kerr; both labour men who have memories of the days when politicians were of a calibre we may never see again.